How did the role of a whipping boy vary between different countries?
Frequently Asked Question about the extinct profession: Whipping Boy
The role of a whipping boy varied significantly across countries. In England, he was a noble boy educated alongside a prince, punished for the prince's misdeeds. In contrast, in France, the concept was less formalized, often involving servants or lower-class boys. Overall, the whipping boy served as a scapegoat, reflecting social hierarchies and educational practices of the time.